Quick Take: Showtime's Dexter Season 1 introduces a completely unique show to television that explores the humanity of a psychopathic serial killer. Powered by a magnetic performance from Michael C. Hall and consistently excellent writing, the season never lets up throughout its opening act of twists, turns, and character development.

***As an opening season review, this will be a spoiler free look at the series, exploring its base characters and set up rather than exploring the story details of this season. This is mainly written to give a new viewer an overview of the series to see if they want to experience the ride of Dexter for themselves. There are however a few minor allusions to roles played by actors in the season that could potentially hint at twists in the season.***

The greatest television series often focus upon blurry lines of morality. Breaking Bad and The Sopranos come to mind in their portrayal of lead men that are not remotely heroes. Still, no other series has gone so far as to center a series around a man who ritualistically murders other people to satisfy his bloodlust.

Unlike some of the more ambiguous television put to screen, Dexter is complicated in that it does not fear making its main character an antihero hero as the story of the series is centered on Dexter Morgan's humanity, exploring not just how he became who he is but how he can change do to events that encircle him.

Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) is a 35 year old blood-splatter analyst for Miami Metro Homicide Division who in his free time seeks out and executes criminals to satisfy an innate bloodlust he calls his Dark Passenger. Using a code set forth by his foster father Harry (James Remar), Dexter kills only those he deems worthy of death though does so with a frightening and ritualistic glee, taking a blood sample for his collection before cutting them to pieces.

For the most part though, the main issues Dexter faces day to day are his human interactions, putting on a false, contented face due to his supposed lack of empathy. His closest connection is his foster sister, the foul mouthed Debra Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter) who works in Vice for Miami Metro.

James Doakes (Erik King), Angel Batista (David Zayas), Vince Masuka (C.S. Lee), and Maria LaGuerta (Lauren Velez) are all fellow coworkers of Dexter's that he works with close enough to know though still keep distance from. He also attempts a romantic relationship with Rita Bennett (Julie Benz), a recently divorced and damaged woman with two children.

Much of the story is told through Dexter's inner monologue as he plays the role of unreliable narrator, telling the audience what he sees himself and others as. His insights particularly into his interactions with others are the show's driving force, much more so than the frequent gore that comes with the territory of the show.

I considered including a Deb quote in this review, but not a single one was safe for all audiences. (Image Courtesy of: miami-metro.tumblr.com)

A show is only ever as good as its lead man. It's hard to imagine Dexter without Michael C. Hall (Six Feet Under) as playing the titular character. He imbues Dexter with a complex undercurrent of emotions, driving home the character's fragile state while also making him almost frighteningly likable in the way he struggles to interact. Hall's subtlety makes Dexter a character worth investing in.

Jennifer Carpenter (Quarantine) spends much of this season just being the normal, upright cop who happens to also add a few curse words to every sentence. The character's lack of complexity helps set up a blank slate for all the trauma that is to come from being the sister of a serial killer. She is good in the role even if she has very to do but be likable.

In the supporting cast, the most affecting performance comes from Julie Benz (Buffy The Vampire Slayer/Angel), driving home the complexity that comes with an abused life rather than making Rita a caricature. Christian Camargo (House of Cards) also has a standout guest performance in the season.

Dexter is an adaptation of Jeff Lindsay's novels though does not share too much with the source material, forgoing much of the black humor for a more dramatic focus. The first season is the only season to heavily follow the plot of the books for good reason given how excellently crafted the plot is to developing Dexter as a character and forcing those around him into turmoil.

The recurring work of Melissa Rosenberg (Twilight) as a writer and Michael Cuesta (Kill The Messenger) as director set the tone for the series to come. The camerawork for the series is often uncomfortably intimate, highlighted by the brilliant opening sequence that drives home brutality in a simple morning routine.

The episodes of Dexter are usually consistently excellent, leading through the narrative with a consistent eye for the arc. The series though typically hits a stride midway through and rides the heightened tension to the finish. The best episodes of the season began at "Circle of Friends" while "Truth Be Told" and "Born Free" are an excellent closing pair of episodes that rank among the best in the series.

It's remarkable no one in this series asks "How can anyone be normal that does THIS for a living?" (Image Courtesy of: miami-metro.tumblr.com)

Dexter revels in the way it makes the viewer uncomfortable. The use of sexuality can get a bit gratuitous at times, but Showtime allows Dexter to use mature themes to balance the way we all see the human body. The series' use of sex parallels its use of violence. Dexter's killings often feel like his form of a sexual release that he cannot get at first in more conventional ways.

Nothing is made clear or certain in the narrative to keep a lack of balance. Dexter in this opening season calls himself a monster frequently while declaring himself incapable of some much that is basic, yet hints here and there say otherwise. The other characters get even less of a voice, speaking in one clear way then acting in another.

This is what defines Dexter as such a compelling show. It can be grotesque, often hard to watch, but it knows what it is at all times. This is about Dexter Morgan, not just the serial killer but the man. His actions are deplorable. His thoughts are often saddening. Somehow though, through it all, it becomes hard not to like him.

Even without the strict black humor of the source material, there is humor to that observation. How many degrees of separation do we need before we begin to relate to even empathize with a man whose true personality revels in killing, only held back by an internalized code?

In some ways, Dexter is a superhero, a Punisher-esque antihero brought to life. In other ways, he's a sadly broken human being who needs to find his own way in the world and can only act upon what he has been taught.

The first season of Dexter introduces a character worth exploring, one the creators want you to love in spite of your own reservations, and they succeed. They create a fully realized serial killer that is impossible not to be affected by. It's not his charisma or methodology though that make him so magnetic but the lingering hints of his own humanity.